The award was launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 1989. Its aim is to acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision, highlighting the plight of the homeless, leadership in post conflict reconstruction, and developing and improving the human settlements and the quality of urban life.

Eligibility

Individuals, organizations, projects and any Habitat Agenda partner can be nominated for the award. These include:

• Governments and inter-governmental organizations or agencies, including bilateral aid agencies
• Cities, local authorities or their associations
• Civil society organizations
• The private sector
• National Habitat Committees or focal points
• Research and academic institutions
• Public or private foundations
• Multilateral agencies (United Nations Agencies, World Bank, etc.)
• The media
• Individuals

The Selection process

The process consists of three steps:

1. The World Habitat Day Coordinator will make an initial assessment of the nominations and submissions and verify that they conform to the standards outlined in the submission guidelines. Qualifying submissions will be sent to the jury.

2. A jury of experts on human settlements and urban development and the World Habitat Day theme for 2011, Cities and Climate Change, will be constituted to select a maximum of five winning initiatives.

3. UN-HABITAT's Executive Director, based on the recommendations of the independent jury, will make the final selection of the Scroll of Honour winners.

For more information on the Scroll of Honour Award and on World Habitat Day visit www.unhabitat.org/whd or contact the World Habitat Day Coordinator on [email protected].